In this episode, I reunite with Jonaki Ray (who I met in 2019 as a co-recipient of the Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award) to explore the themes of home, belonging, and the delicate dance between art and science in her poetry collection, Firefly Memories.
Part memoir and travelogue, Firefly Memories is a poignant collection that speaks to the struggles of belonging, blending beauty, food, and memory to confront hardship and heartache and redefining home and the search for safe places.
Whether you’re at home or in search of one, you’ll be inspired by Jonaki’s take on telling the truth and telling it slant.
Show highlights
0:00 – Introduction
2:47 – From scientist to artist: Jonaki’s journey
11:25 – Introduction to Firefly Memories
12:45 – Verdigris: Excerpt from Firefly Memories
15:06 – The goal and complexities of creating the collection
20:12 – Juxtaposing beauty and rejection
25:28 – Blending science and art in poetry
29:25 – Telling the truth with sensitivity
34:11 – Writing about the past and the present
38:42 – What writing from home looks like
41:35 – Appreciation and end
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Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A-4pqaWn2E4
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Guest’s links
Buy Firefly Memories: https://www.coppercoin.co.in/product-page/firefly-memories
Follow Jonaki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonaki_stories/
Follow Jonaki on X: https://x.com/jona_writes
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Host’s links
Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/
Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/
Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/